Philippine forces will participate with hundreds of American soldiers over the next two weeks in joint maneuvers, the Philippine army chief, Sirelito Sobigana, announced Sunday, in a context of tension with Beijing in the South China Sea.

These annual joint exercises were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Sobigana said exercises this year 2021 will be smaller in scope due to the pandemic.

The general indicated that about 700 American and 1,300 Filipino soldiers will participate in the exercises, which is a quarter of the usual number of these exercises.

The general said that this year's exercises would include "virtual and physical activities," stressing that these smaller exercises aimed at "maintaining the alliance and communication between the two military forces."

Hours ago, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed with his Philippine counterpart Delphine Lorenzana, "the situation in the South China Sea and the recent heavy presence of Chinese navy ships near the Watson reef," according to what the Pentagon reported.

Austin suggested enhancing capabilities to assess "threats in the South China Sea," according to excerpts released by the Pentagon.

Tensions have escalated since in March 220 ships deployed by the Chinese were spotted near the Whitson Reef in the Spratlys Islands region, which is disputed between several countries, including China and the Philippines.

China considers that the vast majority of the South China Sea falls within the scope of its sovereignty. Weeks ago, it has refused to withdraw its ships from the region rich in natural resources, while Manila says that Chinese forces have unlawfully entered its exclusive economic zone.

Beijing said the ships in the area were fishing boats that escaped from the bad weather.

Wednesday, the United States issued a warning to China.

"Any armed attack against Filipino military forces, ships or aircraft in the Pacific Ocean would activate our obligations under the US-Philippine mutual defense treaty," State Department spokesman Ned Price warned.